US embassy issues threat warning for Indonesia’s second largest city

JAKARTA, Indonesia – The US embassy in Indonesia warned Saturday, January 3, of a potential threat against American interests in the country’s second biggest city of Surabaya.

“The US Embassy has been made aware of a potential threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Surabaya, Indonesia,” the embassy said in a statement published on its website.

“The US Embassy recommends heightened vigilance and awareness of one’s surroundings when visiting Reviews such facilities,” it added, without providing any further details.

Indonesia has waged a crackdown on extremist groups over the past decade following attacks against Western targets, including the 2002 Bali bombings – a campaign that has been credited with weakening key networks.

But in recent months authorities have raised concerns that a wave of potential jihadist sympathizers is emerging from the world’s most populous Muslim nation.

In total, an estimated 514 indonesians have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State militants. 

Six people – including a couple and their 10-year-old child – were arrested at Jakarta airport in late December for attempting to travel to Syria to join the IS group.

A large number of Muslims around the world have gravitated towards the radical group, which this year declared a caliphate spanning territories it captured in Syria and Iraq.

Surabaya is currently at the center of an investigation into AirAsia Flight 8501 which crashed into Java Sea with 162 people on board shortly after leaving the city for Singapore. (READ: LIVE BLOG: AirAsia Flight QZ8501 )  – Rappler.com